VICTOZA users

Re: VICTOZA

Doctors' office called back..... told me to keep using the Victoza, that ultimately, it should help the liver. Guess that means I suffer with the pain for now?

I will say that skipping just one day sure did mess me up! Sugar was high this morning and am back to having to deal with more than the "normal" nausea. So I get the message.... Will keep on using and pray this quits soon.... And pray for ENERGY cuz I'm worn out!

Re: VICTOZA

I have a question..... Is Victoza used for anyone other than diabetics? I have a friend who is on it, but she is not diabetic, not on a special diet of any kind and not overweight.... Just wondering.

Re: VICTOZA

Just said i would update this was switched from Byetta to Victoza three weeks ago and thankfully had no reactions like nausea,after a week i went from the 0.6 dose to 1.2 and my readings have stayed basically the same,as for weight loss it has not affected me although i did lose 55 kgs in six months on byetta but this was mainly down to diet and lots of exercise,so happy enough with things at the moment especially just having to inject once a day in the mornings instead of twice a day with byetta.

Re: VICTOZA

I'm nearly into week 2 now with Victoza, still on the minimum dose, but will be increasing to the next dose on Wednesday, 30th June.
I dont really get hungry now, which is good, and I noticed a little drop in pounds on the scales after the first few days, and was very chuffed.
But on checking my weight this morning when I got up, those 2/3 pounds are back on
I was really hoping for good results, especially after reading all your posts on here, hearing how well youve all done with your weight losses.....

Re: VICTOZA

Just coming to the end of week two on Victoza with first week of increased dose at 1.2mg. I have lost some weight but I have been really careful about what I am eating (almost low-carbing) with reduced portion sizes and stopping when I feel I've had enough. I've found that if I even slightly overeat the indigestion is pretty bad and I've done that accidentally twice so far :!: Otherwise I feel much better than I did, I have more energy and BG levels are at an all time low. Prior to Victoza, levels were mid to late teens and had been as high as 21. Now most are under 10, and I got the lowest level today of 5.4. I know it's still early days but so far so good...

Re: VICTOZA

There's something I dont quite understand and I'm hoping some people might be able to pass some comments please.
My waking readings have always been a good low, say 3.9/4.6 or something like that, and I've always felt ok and managed them fine.
But lately, since I've been on Victoza (0.6) they've been much higher - 5.7, 5.9 and this morning it was 6.7! And I can't understand why this is happening...??
I prefer the lower readings at the start of my day, because that then starts me off in good stead for the rest of the day, for when I eat food.
I had 3 Wheetabix with skimmed milk and a sprinkling of canderel type sugar the other morning, my waking reading was a high (for me) 5.7 and so it went up to a whopping 13.9 two hours later when I checked again.
I've been on the 0.6 Victoza dose for 2 weeks now, reduced my once a day, evening lantus insulin by 20 units (from 80 to 60) as instructed by my nurse, and today is my first day on 1.2.
Thanks for any help or advice, I'd really appreciate it if you could spare some time
Kind regards
Jackie

Re: VICTOZA

Jackie,

I don't know about you but with waking values like 3.9 I would be diving into the glucose tablet store pretty smartish.

Values of 5ish to 7ish sound more like "normal" - at least similar to my normal waking values.

Obviously, if you are at all concerned, please contact your diabetes specialist. Perhaps your high bedtime Lantus dose has something to do with it, notwithstanding that you are now on Victoza.

I find, and evidence suggests, that cereals (and that includes bread), are as bad as taking a dose of pure glucose as far as blood sugars are concerned. Apart from the roughest oats you can buy, I would lay off breakfast cereals, and eat a maximum of 1 slice of bread/toast with yellow fat spread and/or peanut butter - the fat tends to moderate the effects of the carbohydrate (in my case, anyway).

hope this helps,

jpg

Re: VICTOZA

JPG,
Thanks ever so for replying!
Yes, I agree waking levels of 5-7 does seem to be the norm for most doesn't it, it's just that I've been used to my low waking levels for so long now and I do feel fine with them.
You say my insulin dose might be a bit high now I'm in Victoza? That's interesting/helpful you said that because I was concidering having a couple or more units at night to help drop my morning level
My nurse did say drop another 10 units if/when I feel ready to.
Thanks for the info on the bread/cereals, its crazy isn't it?! lol
Today I had two slices of brown wholemeal bread and Flora spread with a slice of ham and mustard, and my levels only went up to 10.9, so that was much better than when I had the 3 wheetabix (i probably should have only had the 2)
I'm wondering now I've started on the increased dose of Victoza I will see some differences?
Can you tell me what kind of differences I might see?
When I started on 0.6 I did notice a decrease in appetite, but that's back to normal again.
And did you suffer from sickness when you started on 1.2? If so, how long was it before that feeling kicked in? I started on 1.2 this morning, and so far so good, I've felt fine, no different to before.
Thanks a million for giving me your time, it's good to talk with someone who knows about the injection.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Kind regards
Jackie

Re: VICTOZA

Jackie, if you replace one of those slices of bread with another slice of ham, you will probably see your glucose drop below 10. But the diet police will become alarmed. So you might try one of 2 bread alternatives: Firstly those German whole grain breads that use no flour, just whole unmilled grains. They release carbs very slowly. Second, make your own bread substituting half the flour with oat bran, wheat bran, and rolled oats. Again, this will release carbs very slowly.
Buy most importantly, you are still on the starter dose of Victoza. The results should be dramatically better after awhile on 1.8mg.

Re: VICTOZA

Thanks BMorgan for your advice, I will have a look at those rolls you mentioned.
I know what youre saying about swapping a slice of bread for another slice of ham, but that would never fill me up! But, saying that, if I'd made myself a plate of salad too, then yes, that would have been fine.
I don't really eat much anyway, and I know when to stop, I just need to 'tweak' things better.
I did have 2 slices of brown wholemeal bread again for my breakfast this morning with a smidgen of lemon marmalade on them, and my test results were good. Before eating it was 5.2, and 2 hours later only 7.7.
I'm on day 2 of the 1.2 dose, and still no nauseas I'm pleased to say.
My diabetes nurse did say it was unlikely I will go to the max dose of 1.8.
If my daily blood checks start to have more of an even pattern I will reduce my insulin further by another 10 units (as instructed to do so)
Do you think I might see a change on the weighing scales now I've upped the dose?

Re: VICTOZA

Jackie1966 said:

Thanks BMorgan for your advice, I will have a look at those rolls you mentioned.
I know what youre saying about swapping a slice of bread for another slice of ham, but that would never fill me up! But, saying that, if I'd made myself a plate of salad too, then yes, that would have been fine.
I don't really eat much anyway, and I know when to stop, I just need to 'tweak' things better.
I did have 2 slices of brown wholemeal bread again for my breakfast this morning with a smidgen of lemon marmalade on them, and my test results were good. Before eating it was 5.2, and 2 hours later only 7.7.
I'm on day 2 of the 1.2 dose, and still no nauseas I'm pleased to say.
My diabetes nurse did say it was unlikely I will go to the max dose of 1.8.
If my daily blood checks start to have more of an even pattern I will reduce my insulin further by another 10 units (as instructed to do so)
Do you think I might see a change on the weighing scales now I've upped the dose?

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Like you Jackie I am on Victoza and yes Weetabix etc send your BG levels high, the best cereal I have used is Lizzi's Granola, it is the best for keeping your BG levels low and sustaining it until lunch.

I have been on Victoza for over 6 months now and it's the best thing I have ever had.

Re: VICTOZA

Hi Kaye,
Thanks for that, I will lokk out for it in the shops next time I'm in town.
I'm getting on great with Victoza, I've been on the 1.2 dose for a week now and I've had no sickness or poorlyness whatsoever. I've been feeling really well in myself, my appetite has decreased and I'm staying fuller for longer, and I've not been craving anything sweet either. Im loving it, plus since upping my dose I've lost 6lb too! I'm over the moon!
It sounds like it's suiting you too, thats great! How much weight have you lost altogether Kaye in the 6 months you've been on it? Does the weight loss slow down over time?
And one question I'd like to ask please, is Victoza a life time medication or do you eventually come off it?
Thanks
Jackie

Question about Victoza please

Hi,
I'm on Victoza, just in the first month and all is going well. (1.2 dose)
I don't know an awful lot about it and have a couple of questions if that's ok?
Is the injection for the long term? Months, years?
Does the weightloss slow down after time?
Does the having hardly any appetite continue?
Thanks for any help you can offer me,
Kind Regards
Jackie

Re: VICTOZA

hi everyone,
im new to this site, and victoza. i started it 4 days ago. second day i went docs and i am on sick now for 2 weeks. im hopeing the side effects will ease up soon so i am perservering. i have had terrible nausea, diahrear, and tiredness, but its early days.i am on 0.6mg and hopeing to up it to 1.2mg after a week,dont no alot about this drug but my doc says it should help with my wieght, as other insulin has made me very round lol, i take 30 units of glargine at nite and victoza in morning . its alot better than the 4 lots of insulin i used to do. so hopefully this is going to be my wonder drug. will keep you posted.

Re: VICTOZA

Victoza has just recently been approved for use by Health Canada (approx mid June 2010). Victoza has not been clinically tested with those who use insulin.. yet. At least that is the information provided to me by my doctor. Metformin, yes, insulin, no.
Victoza is a different drug than Byetta (Eli Lilly). Similar side effects. I've been on Victoza now for just shy of 3 weeks. Currently at 1.2 level.
Was on Byetta for 2.5 years while living in the US. Byetta was extremely effective in reducing weight / managing weight. I did not find Byetta effective in curbing appetite. I DO with Victoza.. big time!!!
When I returned to Canada, in 2007, I was told Byetta would be approved imminently. It's been 3 years and it is still not available for use in Canada. However, without Byetta, I gained approx 25 - 30 pounds.
While on Byetta, I was on glimepiride. I am now an insulin & Metformin user. Despite lack of clinical trial with insulin, I am taking Victoza and find no major side effects. Appetite is curtailed considerably. Some nausea on occasion - infrequent. Find myself tired but suspect that is more the 4:30am chirping of birds (i.e. interrupted sleep) than medication side effects. **** birds!
Was advised yesterday that Blue Cross has added Victoza to list of approved medications and will cover 80%. Good news on that front.
For those who encounter nausea taking Byetta or Victoza, treat it the same way as pregnant mothers. Eat something like a few crackers or ryvetta with cheese - not a whole lot, just something to offset. When I first started with Byetta, I had nausea regularly for upwards of 3 months, then none at all. Be patient. The benefits far outweigh the temporary ill feeling / urpiness one gets from the med.

RGJ

Re: VICTOZA

Hi all I am new to this today, I have now been on victoza for just over a week, i feel great! apart from indegestion whihc i have most of the time! but I feel it is a small price to pay as I am not hungry cannot eat chocolate (I know I should not be eating it anyway) the weight is coming off!

This seems to be a post code lottery if you are able to have Victoza, The PCT where I live do give it The PCT I work for does not. I am just gratful that it is working for me, the morning are hard I cannot drink much Tea black coffe is easier to go (I am a teapot) Will have to had lots of suppiles of Rennies!

The good bits outweigh the bad. I am hoping that this will get eaiser in a few weeks.

More to come

Re: VICTOZA

julie4u2c said:

I am just gratful that it is working for me, the morning are hard I cannot drink much Tea black coffe is easier to go (I am a teapot)

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Hi Julie! It's intreesting to see that you can't drink the tea, but CAN drink black coffee! I've drunk black coffee for 35+ years... and since starting on Victoza, I can only drink tea. Isn't that odd? There are also some foods I can't eat now that I used to be able to eat. After almost 3 months, the nausea is finally gone for the most part, only comes back once in a while. I also can't eat sweets, either.... It tastes like the sweetness is magnified greatly. If I want a piece of cake or something, I only have 1 bite.

Best part is the weight loss! So far I've lost 39 pounds which converts to 2.78 stone. I'm extremely happy with the lowering of my blood sugar readings as well. Go back to one doctor on 7.22.10 and the other on 7.30.10.... hope they are happy too!

Good luck & keep up the good work!
Peggy

Re: VICTOZA

hiya ken and jude if you see this sorry i have been long time off had some health and family probs well for anyone that doesnt know i was on byetta for 9 months sickness bloated just few of probs came off for 4 months went back on byetta for further 10 months was ill again towards end of 10 months ended up in hospital thought i might have pancreitus however numerous tests etc wasnt pancreitus but came off byetta again bloods were low 5to7 and lost 1 stone came off again then 3 months later bloods were up to 10 - 11s put back on the stone however 3months later was asked to try victoza well lost the stone and bit more no sickness at all right from start inject once a day in a morning test bloods twice a day they are 5-7s sometimes little higher like7 depending what i eat now here is the good bit ken apart from my other things like my back hip probs which are nothing to do with the injections i feel better fitter my outlook on life is so different i have lost1stone 3 lbs had no sickness at all havent seen my specialist for 6months it is the best thing that has happened to me one injection daily 4 metformin 2x2 morning and tea the chemist has to order it for me i live in hull and there are about 20 people on this i have other probs like i just found out i have neuropathy in my legs and waiting for some spine injections but these things i can cope withi find as before i cannot eat a big meal went out with family struggled with my meal but hey small price to payi am sorry ken and jude who personally emailed me but family things going on and so i must say yes it is working for me this time luv it i do try to watch my carbs but have occasional treat lifes too short jude i will do a personel message for you hope you see this will put little note on byetta site as i know you go on that hun so hope this might help people a bit and ken keep smiling hun hope you ok missed our little chats there is hope out there LUV VIVKAROO xxxxx

Re: VICTOZA

Hi Viv.

Great to hear that things are going so much better for you now, albeit with a few minor 'glitches'. It's good to hear from you again and know that you finally seem to have struck on the right meds for you.

As for our 'little chats'..........I don't need half the headache pills I used to get through any more !!
Only joking......... I'm on holiday at the minute so not around as much as I was but I'm back next week....then it's business as usual........ :wink:

Be good, relax and enjoy the good times Viv.

Ken xx

Re: VICTOZA

vivkaroo hey cheeky but i love u :lol: enjoy hols ken xxx